This volume presents the first book-length study in English of the concept of Buddha nature as discussed in the Buddha Nature Treatise (Fo Xing Lun), attributed to Vasubandhu and translated into Chinese by Paramartha in the sixth century. The author provides a detailed discussion of one of the most important concepts in East Asian Buddhism, a topic little addressed in Western studies of Buddhism until now, and places the Buddha nature concept in the context of Buddhist intellectual history. King then carefully explains the traditional Buddhist language in the text, and embeds Buddha nature in a family of concepts and values which as a group are foundational to the development of the major indigenous schools of Chinese Buddhism.
In addition, she refutes the accusations that the idea of Buddha nature introduces a crypto-Atman into Buddhist thought, and that it represents a form of monism akin to the Brahmanism of the Upanisads. In doing this, King defends Buddha nature in terms of purely Buddhist-philosophical principles. Finally, the author engages the Buddha nature concept in dialogue with Western philosophy by asking what it teaches us about what a human being, or person, is.. ."It intelligently treats a text of crucial importance and brings up all the issues involved offering interpretations on them. To anyone interested in Chinese Buddhism it should be engaging reading. " John P. Keenan

Buddha Nature, Sallie King, Suny Press, Paperback, 200 Pages, $23.95

Preface

Abbreviations

Chapter One: Introduction

A. The Role of the Buddha Nature Concept B. Terms C. History D. The Text of the Buddha Nature Treatise E. The Buddha Nature Treatise and Chinese Buddhist Thought

Chapter Two: The Concept of Buddha Nature

A. Taking the Semantic Ascent B. Refutation of Other Views C. The Essence of Buddha Nature

1. The Buddha Nature as Three Causes 2. The Three Natures (Trisvabhava) 3. Tathagatagarbha